Eco-Friendly Gifts for New Parents

Just about everyone is going green these days - particularly new parents who are concerned not only about the planet their children will inherit, but also the health of their new baby and how they can limit the chemicals their new baby is exposed to. From the talc in baby powder to the dioxin in disposable diapers, new parents have plenty to be concerned about when it comes to harmful substances coming in contact with their new baby.

Eco-friendly, natural baby products can be expensive, particularly for new parents who may already be worrying about their budget now that they have a new addition to the family. With this in mind, giving eco-friendly, natural baby products to new parents as gifts - whether for a baby shower, Christmas or just because you care - can help ease the strain on their new baby budget while providing lasting, healthier options for caring for their baby.

With the green revolution and renewed concern about the environmental and health impacts of many popular baby products, eco-friendly baby products are now becoming much easier to find. There are now eco-friendly reusable diapers that are much more convenient and effective than the cloth diapers of yesteryear and it is now much easier to find organic cotton baby clothes, blankets, washcloths and bedding.

Here are just a few ideas for eco-friendly baby gifts for new parents that will help limit the impact their family has on the environment while lowering the risk factors from talc, dioxin and other harmful substances.

1. Eco-friendly Reusable Diapers and Diaper Covers- More and more parents are switching to reusable cloth diapers, especially now that the design and function of reusable cloth diapers has greatly improved. Plus, diaper covers in fun colors and patterns have added a whole new aspect to reusable cloth diaper fashion. Reusable cloth diapers can be purchased in many stores or online - just be sure to look for organic cotton for the healthiest option for the planet and the baby.
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3. Eco-friendly Diaper Service - If you have a bit more money to spend on an eco-friendly new baby gift, consider setting up an account with a reusable cloth diaper service for their first year as new parents. This will save them a significant amount of money and time while providing them with a much-needed (and I'm sure much-appreciated!) gift. Eco-friendly reusable cloth diaper services are making a comeback, so a quick online search should help you find a diaper service in the new parents' town. Or, check out the National Association of Diaper Services website at diapernet.org.
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5. Organic Baby Clothes and Toys - Cotton is a perfect, soft material for clothing and toys for new babies, but did you know that cotton is one of the most pesticide-laden crops in the world? Because of this, organic cotton is the best option when purchasing baby clothes and toys, which will be on the baby's skin and very likely in her mouth. Organic cotton baby clothing and toys can be found online at ecobaby.com, ecobabyconcepts.com and baboobaby.com, as well as many other etailers.
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7. Organic Furniture, Crib Mattresses and Bedding - Okay, so we already know that cotton that isn't organic is full of chemicals and pesticides, but did you know that crib mattresses often have poisonous substances in them as well? Giving the gift of an organic crib mattress, organic cotton bedding or an all-natural, organic piece of furniture for the nursery is a great way to give new parents an eco-friendly head start on creating a green nursery for their new baby. There are lots of websites that offer organic, eco-friendly cribs, furniture, crib mattresses and bedding. Two to try are ourgreenhouse.com and ecobaby.com.
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9. Safer Baby Bottles - Breastfeeding is widely believed to be the healthiest way to feed your baby, and it is certainly the most eco-friendly method, but if breastfeeding is not an option, or the new parents are trying to switch from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, consider giving them an eco-friendly set of baby bottles. Typical plastic baby bottles have harmful chemicals and substances that can leach out into the liquid in the bottle. One of these substances is Bisphenol A (aka BPA) which studies have linked to hormone disruption, cancer and possibly diabetes. Plus, plastic does not biodegrade (it photodegrades, but even that can take thousands of years and requires sunlight, which is not abundant in landfills). Glass bottles are an eco-friendly alternative and can be passed to another family, saved for future babies or recycled. Alternatively, you could also try eco-friendly bottles made by Green to Grow, which come in 100% recycled packaging and are free of lead, PVC and Bisphenol A, or bottles by Born Free, which are also BPA-free.
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11. Homemade Eco-Friendly, Natural Baby Wipes and Baby Powder - As mentioned before, most commercial baby powders are full of talc, which is linked to a number of serious health conditions. Baby wipes are often full of chemicals and disposable wipes clog up landfills just like disposable diapers. Fortunately, you can make reusable, all natural baby wipes and all natural, talc-free baby powder in a matter of minutes. This is a thoughtful, fun way to make homemade, eco-friendly baby gifts for new parents. Baby powder can be as simple as one cup corn starch mixed with ½ to one cup arrowroot powder, or you can get more creative by adding a few drops of essential oil (such as lavender) for healing properties and fragrance. Package the homemade baby powder in a reusable glass sugar shaker or other similar packaging for a cute, creative new baby gift. Reusable baby wipes can be made from soft, organic material and soaked with plain witch hazel, or, for added benefits, you can add aloe vera or essential oils to the mix. Simply place the cut cloths in a reusable, sealable container and pour the mixture over them, allowing the cloths to become saturated.
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